(Fayetteville, N.C.) – An organization that will help former offenders become productive members of society is scheduled to launch on Thursday, March 29. The Fayetteville-Cumberland Reentry Council will host the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the FAST Transit Center, located at 505 Franklin St.

The launch is a networking opportunity to educate the community about the Fayetteville-Cumberland Reentry Council, the vision for reentry from the state and local perspective and the availability of resources in these areas.

Funding for Fayetteville-Cumberland Reentry Council at the state level was announced in November 2017 to help make the transition from prison to society smoother. Over 32,000 offenders are released from North Carolina prisons each year and need clear steps for how to rejoin society.

According to research, if former offenders do not get help, there’s a greater than 48 percent chance that within three years they will reoffend. Research also shows that within five years if they are not connected to resources the recidivism rate for North Carolina former offenders rises to 67 percent.

“The Fayetteville-Cumberland Reentry Council will assist former offenders thru the barriers they may face. For example housing, employment and other resources they may need to help them make the transition back into our community,” said Jessie Garner, Coordinator for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Reentry Council.

For more information about the Reentry Council, contact Jessie Garner at 910-583-0424.